And behold: For the use of the word behold in the context of a dream, see the comments on 2 Esd 11.1. Here it may be omitted (so Good News Bible).

When he saw the onrush of the approaching multitude: This is the first we hear of the mob of people actually making a hostile move. The first half of this verse may be rendered “When the man saw this huge group of people rushing toward him” or “When the huge group of people [or, great crowd] began to approach the man.”

He neither lifted his hand nor held a spear or any weapon of war: The man did not hold any weapon to defend himself. A spear is a long, straight rod with a sharp end used for piercing by thrusting.

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When the great army [or, crowd] began to approach the man, he did not brandish [or, hold] a spear or any other weapon. He did not even lift a hand.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.